There are conflicting opinions among Internet users regarding the use of the sensational Calgon machine tool. Great interest in the product is, rather, the result of high-quality marketing than its “miracle properties” in the fight against scale. The high cost and unproven effectiveness of this water softener encourages users to look for cheaper “anti-scale” agents for washing machines. We will tell you in this article what can be used as an analogue of Calgon.
What is the remedy for?
Many people firmly believe that Calgon is a descaling product. But that's not true. The main purpose of the drug is to prevent scale formation, that is, if there are already salt deposits on parts of the washing machine, then use will be useless.
Thus, Calgon is a water softener. Its one-time use will not give much results; it must be used every time you wash. The product “binds” salts that are present in hard water and prevents their deposition on the machine elements.
Additional functions of the drug:
- laundry is washed better in soft water;
- due to the decrease in calcium content in water, white things do not turn gray;
- the consumption of the main detergent is reduced;
- things remain soft even without use
- Eliminates unpleasant odor from the drum.
The use of Calgon does not harm tissues and does not harm human health.
Reviews about Kalgona
Olga, 26 years old, Pskov.
“To put it briefly, Calgon is just a yellowish powder, similar to laundry detergent. Probably one of the most advertised remedies. But it costs much more, and there is practically no benefit.
Once we had our car repaired at a service center, the worker advised us to use Calgon. Complete nonsense. It is much more useful to carry out preventive measures. For example, pour a packet of citric acid into the powder compartment, set the machine to full power, and when the device heats up, simply unplug the cord from the outlet.
There is no need to be afraid - this technique has a “reserve” regarding voltage drops and overheating. Therefore, such a shutdown will not harm her in any way. In addition to citric acid, you can also take soda"
Andrey, 30 years old, St. Petersburg
“I was also not pleased with Calgon. I use this method to descale my machine:
- I put things in for washing; in addition to the powder, I add 9 percent vinegar (about 70 ml);
- I set the temperature to 70 degrees, washing mode to minimum.
If you systematically use this method, then all the insides of the machine will constantly be cleaned of lime deposits. Moreover, the laundry will be much softer than when washed with powder.”
Forms
The drug Calgon is available in several different forms:
- Powder. Packaged in cardboard boxes and plastic soft packaging of different weights. The inconvenience of this option is the difficulty of dosing.
- Pills. Sold in boxes. Minimum packaging – 12 tablets in one package. The advantage of this option is that it is impossible to make a mistake with the dosage.
- Gel. Sold in polymer bottles and canisters of various sizes. The gel is convenient to use, the packaging is compact, and in addition, incomplete dissolution of the drug is avoided.
The effectiveness of the product - truth or myth?
Is Calgon really effective? Some housewives use it regularly and claim that plaque really does not appear. But the use of such a remedy is not always appropriate and effective, and some believe that its price is unreasonably high.
Doubts about the effectiveness of Calgon are due to several reasons.
- Many modern washing powders already contain components that prevent the appearance of plaque, and when using them, additional products are not needed.
- If the water supplied to the washing machine is filtered, then its hardness decreases and returns to normal.
- There is an opinion that constant use of Calgon can cause damage to device parts (this fact has not been confirmed).
- The product can be replaced with more affordable analogues or folk remedies.
Video: what was Calgon invented for and is it worth using?
Where to put the powder and fill in the Calgon gel in the washing machine
Not everyone likes to read the instructions, which tell you in detail how to use the product. The product should not be poured directly into the drum or into the conditioner compartment. It should be remembered that it must be poured into the washing powder compartment. This compartment in the tray is usually the largest. You can also add Calgon to the powder compartment intended for the soaking process.
Or you can mix a single dose of powder and Calgon powder in advance and pour the ready-made mixture into the tray. If a liquid form of the product is used, then the gel should be poured into the same section for the powder.
The required amount of Calgon depends on the hardness of the water. The product in powder form comes with a measuring spoon, while the gel product is measured using the cap of the bottle.
- with medium hardness, add 30-32 g of the drug, that is, a third of the measuring container (according to the marks);
- with increased – 60-64 g, that is, two-thirds of the measurement;
- if the salt content is high, you need to add a full glass, that is, 96 g of powder or gel.
When using tablets, you do not need to measure anything. 1 piece is added to the powder, regardless of the degree of water hardness.
To achieve results, the manufacturer recommends using the product with every wash.
What does it consist of, in what form is it produced?
What substances are in Calgon? Just as any water contains calcium ions, the main substance in Calgon is sodium tripolyphosphate. Interacting, these substances cause chemical processes that soften water.
Other ingredients of the product:
- Polycarboxylates – up to 30%;
- Polyethylene glycol – up to 5%;
- Microcrystalline cellulose – up to 15%.
The creators of Calgon took care of the consumer and produce the substance in 3 forms:
- Gel;
- Powder;
- Pills.
The advantage of Calgon is its light, pleasant aroma. It is convenient because the dosage is easy to “adjust”. And if you determine the hardness of the water yourself, you can save a lot by adding exactly as much substance as necessary.
Tablets for an automatic machine should only be purchased if the water has maximum hardness. Their composition is completely similar to gel and powder.
For each of the release forms, to make it convenient, different dosages are also provided:
- Tablets are packaged in quantities: 12, 15, 32, 35, 40, 70 pcs.;
- Powders in boxes - 0.5 kg, 1 kg and 1.6 kg;
- Gul is produced in bottles of 0.75 ml, 1.5 l, 2 l.
When does the application not make sense?
The use of Calgon is not justified in all cases. It is useless to use this drug if:
- the house has a water filtration system with softening;
- a washing mode with a temperature below 60 degrees is used, since at a low temperature scale particles are not formed.
In addition, any modern detergent in automatic washing machines already contains water softening additives. And if the water hardness in the region is moderate, these additives are enough to prevent scale formation. If the water is hard, then additional softening agents should be used.
Useful properties of Calgon
The substance is used not only to soften water. With its help, you can get rid of scale on the heating element of the device, but it is this part of the washing machine that most often fails.
If you neglect this, then within a few years scale is guaranteed to appear on the heating element, and repairs will be required. That is why the manufacturer recommends adding Calgon with every wash.
The main beneficial properties of the substance are as follows:
- Washing powder is saved. Due to softening, much less water is required;
- The appearance of scale on the shade is prevented - the service life of the device increases;
- Colored clothes do not lose their color, since scale does not settle on the fibers of the fabric;
- Washing is done more efficiently by softening the water.
Those who are accustomed to a healthy lifestyle often wonder if there is any negative effect of Calgon on the human body. After all, it contains some pretty serious chemicals?
According to various studies, experts have concluded that the product is no more dangerous than ordinary laundry detergent. And you don’t need to wear gloves when putting it in the washing machine.
But we should never forget about the most basic safety measures. The powder should be stored in a place inaccessible to children and pets. And if the substance accidentally gets into the mouth or eyes, it will be enough to rinse it thoroughly with running water.
Therefore, to minimize such “risks”, it is worth buying tablets.
How can you replace Calgon?
Calgon has many analogues, but little is known about them, since they are not widely advertised. Analogues have the same composition, only fragrances and fillers may differ. That is, those substances that do not affect the effectiveness of the drug. The results of using Calgon and its analogues are the same, and many domestically produced products are much cheaper.
Examples of analogues:
- CalMagnon +5. The product binds calcium and magnesium ions, due to which solid deposits do not form on machine parts.
- Big Wash. This product is even more effective than Calgon, as it not only prevents the appearance of scale, but also removes existing deposits.
- Yplon Anti-Calc . A Turkish-made product that effectively removes calcium ions and softens water.
All of the above products are much cheaper than Calgon, and the effect of their use is no worse. An even cheaper analogue of Calgon is soda ash. It is enough to add 2-3 tablespoons of soda to a regular portion of powder to achieve the same effect as after using Calgon.
Soda ash softens water and enhances the properties of washing powder. However, this product will “work” if the washing temperature is 50 degrees or higher. It is prohibited to use soda ash to wash items made from delicate fabrics.
Another inexpensive folk remedy is citric acid. It is recommended to be used for the prevention and cleaning of small deposits. Use only when the washing machine is empty, as the acidic environment can contribute to the destruction of clothes.
How to use:
- 100 g of acid is poured into the powder tray (this amount is for a machine with a maximum load of 5-6 kg);
- there should be no things in the drum;
- close the door"
- set the mode for washing cotton (with maximum temperature) and start the machine.
After the cycle is completed, you can run an additional rinse mode, after which you need to ventilate the machine by opening the door. Such treatment as a preventive measure should be carried out no more than twice a year.
Why descale your machine at all?
Before you get up to fight scale in the heating element of your washing machine, think about whether it’s worth doing it at all. Limescale, being a rather porous material, has good thermal insulation properties. In large quantities it is certainly harmful to the spiral. But a light layer of scale, on the contrary, benefits the heating device. First of all, it neutralizes sudden temperature changes that occur when water is drained from the machine, thereby protecting the coil from overheating. Secondly, scale clogs microcracks in the heating element, preventing water from entering them, and therefore reducing the risk of a short circuit. Naturally, it is better to avoid a thick limestone layer, but you should not strive for its complete absence.
Mikhail, Krasnodar:
Everyone uses an electric kettle, right? They know that you can’t pour cold water on a hot coil - it will crack, even if not immediately. And you can’t leave an empty kettle with a hot spiral either. But for some reason this is possible with a machine. It is clear that as long as the spiral in it is new, it can withstand such treatment. And then? “Calgon” removes plaque from the spiral, and this increases the impact of temperature changes on it, the cracks expand, and as a result, the machine breaks. I use it once a year to remove most of the scale; I don’t risk it more often, and I don’t recommend it to anyone.
Having assessed the above reviews and adding to them the opinion of household appliance repair specialists who claim that any washing machine, regardless of care, is designed for a maximum of 7 years of service, we can come to the following conclusion. It's definitely worth using anti-scale products, especially if the water in your area is rich in limescale additives and metals. But this should not be done every time you wash, but at most once every 6 months. And, by the way, it is not at all necessary to buy expensive Calgon for this; there are a lot of more affordable folk and industrial products. Next we will tell you how you can replace Calgon.
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Main causes of breakdowns
Despite the fact that advertising for the product names scale as the main reason for machine failure, experts dealing with repairs note that this is not the case. According to them, most often the device stops functioning properly due to:
- wear of parts and elements;
- blockages (small metal parts, such as paper clips, buttons, stones, slip through the drum);
- breakdown of the heating element (this is already related to scale).
As we can see, the malfunction of the heating device due to the accumulation of scale on its surface is only the third most common cause of breakdowns, which is at odds with the opinion. Consumer reviews indicate that plaque forms even with constant use of the product. Therefore, we can safely say that he is helpless in dealing with this problem. Experts also note that the use of the product not only does not have a positive effect on the washing machine, but, on the contrary, has a negative effect on it. Rubber parts become unusable due to some components included in the Calgon product.
Industrial analogues
The description of “Kalgon” (composition, reviews, recommendations), therefore, was given in the article in sufficient detail. According to housewives, this remedy can be quite helpful in some cases against scale when used correctly. But since this softener is expensive, if desired, as already mentioned, it can be replaced with some cheap analogue. For example, many housewives use Alphagon to protect their washing machine. When using this cheap softener, as the manufacturer claims, powder consumption is halved. 500 grams of this product costs only about 65-70 rubles.
Reviews from service center employees
Unfortunately, craftsmen involved in repairing washing machines do not have a very good opinion about the Calgon product. Employees of service centers believe that equipment in which this softener was used during washing breaks down more often than equipment in which it was not used.
Most craftsmen, therefore, do not advise housewives to use Calgon for washing machines (the composition of the product, in their opinion, is even harmful to metal parts). Almost all modern powders already contain water softening components. And, according to service workers, they are quite enough to keep the heating elements clean. The use of Calgon by housewives, even if the manufacturer’s instructions are strictly followed, leads to the appearance of a certain viscous substance on the heating elements. It is this, according to service workers, that leads to equipment failure.
